STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3020

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2205

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2205, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUICIDE PREVENTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prepare the State for the planned utilization of the new 9-8-8 calling code of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes a Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Task Force, to be administered by the Department of Health, to develop an implementation plan to integrate and utilize the new 9-8-8 calling code of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for mental health-related emergencies;

(2) Requires the task force to submit a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriates moneys to the Department of Health for the task force's development of the required implementation plan.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Rainbow Family 808, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, and Hawaii Medical Association.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force.

Your Committee finds that the task force created by this measure will facilitate the State's efforts to ensure a smooth transition to utilization of the new 9-8-8 calling code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying references to the federal National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; the existing Prevent Suicide Hawaii Task Force and its associated regional task forces; and the Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Task Force established by this measure;

(2) Clarifying that Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline Task Force members who are private individuals or who represent specified non-governmental entities are invited, but not required, to participate; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2205, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2205, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair